Office Location

United Kingdom

Short Biography

Richard is CEO of RFR, the pre-eminent private client advisor to buyers of high value homes in London. Richard acts for individuals, families and a small number of global recognised family offices. He has discreetly advised on some of the most high profile, high value and highly sensitive transactions in London. A former lawyer and Partner at Macfarlanes, Richard is described by Chambers HNW Guide as “incredibly bright”, “excellent at negotiations and tactically astute” with the ability “to think outside of the box”. A respected commentator on the London market, he is consistently rated as a leading property adviser in London and was named 'Property Adviser of the Year' by Spear’s. Richard is a Trustee of the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which supports families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illnesses and a senior advisor to Lennox, a leading investment manager in London.

What is your favorite restaurant to take a client or colleague to?

My favourite was the George on Mount Street (before the recent make over). The team there are amazing and make you feel part of the family, the food is also pretty good! Closer to our office, we love Wild Tavern on Chelsea Green – rustic and cosy Italian with a great cocktail bar.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

On the work front, a wise mentor told us to focus the business solely on areas where we can be preeminent and where we can genuinely add value to clients. Avoid commodity work, or work that clients will never see as value add. That was brilliant advice and has played a huge part in our success. On the personal side – I think to be “present” when with people (and most important with our boys), don’t be distracted by phones or messages or noise – be present with the person and enjoy the moment (whatever that might be).

What was your first job?

In terms of summer jobs, it was washing up at Colgate Palmolive factory in Guildford! It was brutal but I learned a lot about endurance! Also working at Marks & Spencer in Woking on the shop floor – best customer service learning you can have! The easiest was working at Wimbledon Tennis – long afternoons in the sunshine! My first ‘real’ job was as a trainee solicitor at Hammond Suddards (now Squire Sanders) working in London, Leeds and Manchester (the later when United won the treble in 1999) before moving to Allen & Overy in 2000.

What is the book you recommend to everyone?

When I was a lawyer, I remember reading Barbarians at the Gate and loving the corporate battle for RJR Nabisco. I also love reading about corporate failures and the allure of the characters behind them, mostly recently The Key Man and story of rise and fall of Abraaj Capital. When it comes to younger years – War House remains a firm favourite as does Power of One from my travelling days.

What changes do you expect to see in your practice over the next year?

2024 is an election year in the UK, in fact there are elections in 73 countries next year, including 8 of the 10 most populous countries! Elections are always unsettling for property markets, even more so the prime markets. However, this is not a re-run of the more divisive 2019 election and both parties are broadly taking the centre ground (or trying to), so we may see less impact than in previous election years.